Implementation of Industry 5.0 in SME: Scoping Review

Abstract

Industry 5.0 (I5) represents a significant evolution in the trajectory of industrial development, emphasizing a human-centric approach that integrates advanced technologies with the goal of promoting sustainable growth, resilience, and enhanced human well-being. While Industry 4.0 already posed considerable challenges for industrial organizations, particularly in terms of technological integration, workforce adaptation, and strategic realignment, the shift toward Industry 5.0 has introduced additional complexities. The accelerated pace of innovation and the evolving expectations for human–machine collaboration have intensified these challenges. Large manufacturing corporations are already facing difficulties in adapting to this new paradigm; thus, the question arises: how are Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), which typically operate with limited resources, infrastructure, and financial capacity, managing this transition? This paper presents a scoping review of 17 research papers, chosen from an initial set of 37 publications sourced from Scopus, Web of Science and ScienceDirect on the implementation of Industry 5.0 in SMEs. A comprehensive synthesis of existing research was conducted to elucidate the current state of the topic, identify the research questions addressed, and outline future directions for this emerging paradigm.